How to Reheat Sesame Chicken

Sesame chicken is my best Asian dish so far. The food is spicy, sweet, and so easy to prepare! Despite that, some people may experience difficulties reheating this meal, so it doesn’t turn out rubbery.

One of the demerits of reheating food is attributed to losing its original taste. Nonetheless, this is no cause to worry about as it is pretty easy to reheat sesame chicken.

You can reheat sesame chicken in a traditional oven, microwave, air fryer, toaster oven, and stovetop. Leftover sesame chicken can last a maximum of 4 days if well stored in the refrigerator.

Always thaw the chicken if you want to regain its initial mouthwatering taste. Verify if the meat is fresh before warming, so you don’t consume contaminated food.

There are different mediums to reheat your chicken, but as you are about to find out, some are highly appraised than others, depending on the results they warrant. 

1. Reheating Sesame Chicken in a Traditional Oven

The oven method is the best for reheating large amounts of leftovers. It takes longer than other reheating methods, yet it is quite promising. Here is how to go about it:

1. Thaw the chicken at room temperature for a couple of hours. 
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Line an oven-safe tray using aluminum foil. 
4. Sprinkle a little bit of broth or water in the tray before placing the sesame chicken- this helps prevent the food from drying up. 
5. Cover the tray loosely with double foil, which will ensure the food stays humidified by retaining steam. 
6. Place the food in the oven and warm for about 10 minutes or more, depending on the size of the food. Use an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 
7. When evenly heated, remove the food and let it sit on the counter for about 3 minutes.
8. The chicken should be ready to serve. 

2. Reheating Sesame Chicken in a Microwave

This method is the easiest and the fastest, yet it is also the riskiest. This should be your last option if you always attain soggy foods after microwaving. However, as much as it is difficult to attain well-textured food with this medium, it is possible. 

1. Defrost or thaw the chicken earlier than you intend to reheat it. 
2. Place the sesame chicken in a microwave-safe bowl. Ensure that the bigger pieces are placed around the edge of the plate while the smaller ones are in the middle. Feel free to moisten it with a little broth or water.
3. Cover the food with plastic wrap or a paper towel, then place in the microwave.
4. Reheat for 30 seconds intervals until it is evenly heated.
5. Serve and enjoy. 

Related Post: How to Reheat Rice Noodles

3. Reheating Sesame Chicken in an Air Fryer

The air-fryer method is ideal for individuals who love crispy chicken. It is pretty fast and effortless. It also does not necessitate the thawing of frozen sesame chicken. Follow these steps to achieve perfect results:

1. Preheat the fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes.
2. Place the chicken in the fryer basket. Alternatively, you can sprinkle some broth on them and wrap them with aluminum foil before placing them in the basket. 
3. Heat the chicken for 4 minutes or more if it came directly from the fridge. 
4. Your sesame chicken should be ready to serve. 

4. Reheating Sesame Chicken in a Toaster Oven

This method is also ideal for reheating sesame chicken without drying it out. It is like the traditional oven but is much faster and more convenient. To reheat your leftover sesame chicken in a toaster oven:

1. Thaw your chicken in the fridge overnight.
2. Preheat the toaster oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Place the chicken in a baking tray and moisten it with sauce or water.
4. Cover the chicken using foil. The covering should not be airtight.
5. Place the food in the toaster and heat it for 4 to 7 minutes.
6. Check if well heated, and if not, warm for an additional two minutes.
7. Let the food cool before serving. 

5. Reheating Sesame Chicken over a Stovetop

The stovetop method is best for both skinless and boneless meat. I recommend this method because it makes the chicken regain its initial texture and flavor.

1. Thaw the sesame chicken in advance.
2. Place a non-stick pan on the stove and preheat it on medium heat. 
3. Prep your meat by adding some broth or seasoning to it.
4. Place the chicken in the pan and heat it for 3 to 4 minutes as you stir.
5. Do not use too much heat as this may burn the food.
6. Gauge the food’s temperature with a food thermometer and when ready, remove it from the stove and let it stand for some seconds.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Conclusion

In closing, remember not to store your leftover sesame chicken for more than five days. The USDA is against storing cooked meat for a prolonged time.